He passed away while being transported via ambulance.
William Friend, who is the husband of
One Tree Hill star Bevin Prince has passed away after being struck by lightning.
As
People reports, the incident occurred near Masanboro Island in Wilmington, North Carolina, while Mr Friend was on a boat with his friends on Sunday. Medics arrived to treat him, but he was later pronounced dead in the ambulance.
William and Bevin had been married for five years.
Since news of his death was announced, tributes have been pouring in for Friend.
In a post on Instagram, actress Odette Annable wrote that the "unimaginable" has happened.
"Will, it feels surreal writing this," she penned. "Mostly because it feels like you were just getting started. The life and love that you gave to my best friend made it feel okay that we were thousands of miles apart.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CfsFs0wP7XV/
"As I sit in your beautiful home, looking out onto the ocean, I keep thinking about what a gift you gave to Bevin. What a gift you gave to everyone who knew you to witness the passion that burned in your soul."
Annable added that William was "perfect" for Bevin.
"You supported her dreams, you made her feel seen, you adored her with every bit of your soul and I will forever be grateful to witness that kind of love."
A
GoFundMe page has since been set up to cover William's funeral costs, but also in support of two causes he is said to have been passionate about. They are his business Recess and the Special Operations Transitions Foundation.
The description on the page reads: "Recess is the business that Will and his wife Bevin had been building and growing in their new North Carolina home. There was nothing Will respected or valued more than the American Dream, entrepreneurship, and women in business. We know he wanted to see this business continue to great success and lead to the employment of many more people. Creating rewarding and meaningful jobs for others was the legacy Will wanted to leave."
